Norman Regional Media Day Quotes

ARKANSAS HEAD COACH JAMIE PINKERTON

On the familiarity of playing in Norman:
"It's great to be back at the University of Oklahoma. They did a fantastic job with the regional in 2008. Our team is always excited to be able to have an opportunity to play close to home. It is nice to not travel far and to be able to get some rest. It helps us in our preparation. Obviously, the Norman regional is very good because we didn't have to scurry to get on a plane and get out of town. From that standpoint, we are really pleased to be here. Once again I know the University of Oklahoma will do a great job with the regional."

On being in a regional:
"Just like any team we are ecstatic to be in postseason play. Obviously, we are here and our goal is to come back to Oklahoma City and to make a Super Regional. That is what the other teams' goal is too. I think with all teams they are nicked up at this point and we are no different. We are battling things injury wise, like all the other teams. I think today was good to get out, get loose and have a light, energetic workout. That is what we got in and planned to do. We hit the ball well in the cages. Then with the hour we had on the field we just wanted to get familiar with it again. It's an advantage because we have played here. Patty Gasso and I are coaching peers and friends. Every year we agree to do a SEC/Big 12 meeting between Oklahoma and Arkansas. So we were fortunate enough to have played here."

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TULSA HEAD COACH JOHN BARGFELDT

On participating in a regional:
"It is an honor and it is a tribute to how our ladies have played. It was something that we set as a goal at the beginning of the year and it is nice to see their hard work pay off."

On having already played at OU this season:
"I told the team when the pairings came out that there is something to be said about playing familiar teams and playing in familiar surroundings. There is not that unknown or any apprehension of going someplace where you have never been before."

On playing close to home and the possibility of a large fan turn out:
"There are a lot of people that have talked to us about the fact that they might be able to come see us now. We are excited about that."

On the play of the team heading into regional action:
"We have been playing real well the last month. This game it doesn't matter from week-to-week how you played before. You still have to go out and keep going. But if you had your choice, you would rather come into something like this playing well. You don't have to worry about the team's confidence level from that standpoint. I am glad that we are playing well coming into the regional."

On Arkansas:
"Arkansas is a solid team and a good hitting team. They have some pitchers that can give you some problems as well. Since I have been at Tulsa, every time we play Arkansas is a good game, one way or another. It just comes down to which team performs best on that day."

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NORTH DAKOTA STATE HEAD COACH DARREN MUELLER

On if having brought a team to Norman in the past helps them...
"I think it does a little bit. We know what the atmosphere is like a little bit. We know they have great crowds for the games. So, for Kelly (Cantrell) and a couple of the other seniors it does help to know that we are a little bit familiar with the surroundings."

On if there is an intimidation factor playing in Norman...
"Throughout the course of the year we are playing in the Summit League. They are conference games and you know a little bit more about the opponents. But by playing against some bigger schools along the way we just have to make sure we take care of ourselves. We need to make sure we know what the other opponent has so we can tell them what is going on. If we start thinking too much about the other team then they potentially start to get in your head a little bit and then we're not playing our game."

On OU's lineup...
"It's good... it's very good. Obviously, the top of their lineup is very strong. (Amber) Flores is an exceptional hitter. (Samantha) Ricketts is a very good hitter. I had a chance to watch them a little big against Missouri just the other day. I know Missouri had a good game but they showed they are strong one through nine. We are going to have to make sure we do a good job pitching and defensively, we have to make sure we do a good job of making plays because they can put up a lot of runs, especially fast."

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NORTH DAKOTA STATE SENIOR KELLY CANTRELL

On preparing for D.J. Mathis...
"I haven't seen much of her. I have heard a little bit from what coach has told us. I know she likes to stay outside and has a little bit of a changeup. But other than that we are preparing the same way that we always do. Just going in there and preparing."

On if they have an advantage because they have not faced OU this year...
"Maybe, I'm sure because none of these teams here really know too much about us. I mean they have scouting reports, but you don't really know until you play them."

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OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH PATTY GASSO

On going into regional action...
"I feel really good about where we are. I love the way we finished the season. It wasn't exactly the way we wanted to finish the Big 12 Championship, but it doesn't distract us and it doesn't bring our confidence down. We are back and ready to go. The team has had good practices and tomorrow is our last day of finals. Once we get that out of the way, we can get our mental and physical focus where it needs to be."

On not having to travel for regional or Super Regional action...
"It is nice and it is important that we take advantage of it. It is a huge advantage to be able to stay in your own place and sleep in your own bed. We can stay in our regular routine and see familiar faces. It is really important that our fans are a big part of this. We need the 10th man to come through for us. It could really make a big difference for us. It is important that we come out ready to play and we incorporate the fans in our game plan. We will try to do that."

On the pitching plans, in particular D.J. Mathis...
"She is it for us and will go through anything she has to for this team. Our freshmen will be ready if we need them. They have been working and throwing some good innings in practice."

On how the team is feeling going into this weekend...
"The hardest part is waiting for this weekend. The anxiety of wanting to play looms on everyone. Once it's here they will be ready. Once we get going it will be business as usual. I am a lot more relaxed than I have been in the past. It seems like this team likes me to sit in the background and keep my mouth shut. I am letting them take over and letting them do what they do. It is up to them to do their thing and it is up to us to prepare them, which we feel we're ready to go in all areas.

On the difference between coaching in her first NCAA than this one...
"I think back when I was very young and excitable. I guess I would probably be a better coach for a football team than a softball team back then. I was very fiery and intense. Now, I'm more laid back and trustworthy that they know what they are doing and how to do it. I trust them because I know they know everything, I know that we taught them and they understand. So it is really me trusting the abilities."

On being better prepared for postseason play because of the regular season gruel...
"We have had some highs and lows. Some of the lows have made them better, and they have bounced back from it. The importance of this weekend is knowing if you run into an issue that they choose not to little it rattle them and keep playing, plugging and trust that you are going to come out of it. When you start to lose momentum it's not good for us. The key is to keep it going and keep attacking 24/7. That is the game plan."

On North Dakota State...
"When I look at North Dakota State they are a team that doesn't beat themselves. They make you beat them and are very discipline at the plate. They are just a much disciplined team all around. They make plays and lay down bunts. They do things and make them very routine. They play to win, yet you have to beat them because they won't beat themselves."

On Tulsa...
"Right now Tulsa is hot. They had a big win in their conference tournament. They were pretty hot down the stretch. Looking at their numbers, they have been swinging the bat real well. The pitchers have been throwing real well."

On Arkansas...
"They had a little rough finish but they are going up against Florida, Georgia, Alabama and all those teams are top-10 or 15 teams. I don't look at them and think that they are struggling. When we played them they beat us. So I know they know how to swing. They are going to bring their fans. It should be really exciting and there should be a lot of offense going on."

On the teams excitement of being the No. 7 seed...
"This means a lot to all of them. They were very excited when they found out we were not only hosting a regional, but that we were the No. 7 seed. That excited them more than anything. We are getting a little respect for the schedule that we played. I know that one loss is not going to shake them. I know that they know the importance of this weekend. I know that they are going to be ready to play."

On the team chemistry...
"I like the determination of Samantha Rickets, D.J. Mathis, Lindsay Vandever, Amber Flores. They have been leading us for a while. They are just really locked in and determined. I think this team, top-to-bottom, really enjoys each other. They bring out the best in each other. There is no bickering and there are no superstars on this team. That is what I really kind of like. The ones that get the attention try to defer it. They don't want it, but they appreciate it. They are almost embarrassed by the accolades that they get. I think that is why this team is quietly doing their thing. I think we had our struggles and everyone wrote us off. Then we got hot and people slowly started talking about us. That is exactly the way this team likes it. They like to be in the background and quietly go after what they are striving for. I like that. It is very blue collar style and that is what they are about."

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OKLAHOMA SENIOR D.J. MATHIS

On this being her final NCAA tournament appearance...
"It is exciting, especially being able to do it at home. We were definitely hoping for a regional, but I think we figured out a couple years ago that you can't be sure. We're all excited and we just hope the rain holds off."

On if hosting the regional gives them an advantage...
"We can't look ahead to Super Regionals but it is so nice knowing that we don't have to travel anymore. It just makes it so much easier playing at home than having to go somewhere else."

On North Dakota State...
"They have a lot of lefties and a lot of slappers. They are a scrappy team. We are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow."

On the frustration of missing games throughout her senior year due to injuries...
"Having to watch a lot of games from the sidelines as a senior was tough, but it was also good to get our freshmen pitchers some experience. They learned a lot and they are still learning a lot. It is going to be a good thing for us going into post-season with them having that many games under their belt."

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